With so much going on around town. Catch up on what you may have missed.
It’s Friday, May 24. Hopefully you’re off to enjoy a long weekend, but before you head out, catch up on: the summer job outlook, a new green initiative, and an awesome aerial video of the borough, plus the best place to get crabs for your Memorial Day celebration. Let’s begin.
Summer layoffs. Several area companies have been quietly laying off employees over the last couple of weeks. The latest being West Chester-based DePuy Synthes, a Johnson and Johnson company, that according the Philadelphia Business Journal, has eliminated 76 positions.
Summer jobs. On the other hand, it’s a good time to be a graduate. According to survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers expect to hire 11 percent more graduates than they did last year. West Chester University is reporting their spring job fair had 81 percent more employers than last year and they are seeing more intern brought in as full-time hires.
New aerial video of the borough.
“There are too many families who have lived here for generations and are being pushed out of their homes.”
-Nick Allen, Borough Council candidate
Meet your new Borough Councilman. While, not official until November, Fugett Middle School teacher, Nick Allen is set to become the youngest councilman ever at age 24. Allen ran on a platform of equal opportunity. He is currently running unopposed in November. If he wins he will represent the second ward.
Mosquito prevention. All this rain and moisture sets the stage for a summer marred by mosquitos. This year the Borough is hoping to stop mosquito breeding before it starts by treating standing water in areas like storm drains with a biologic larvicide. The treatment is non-toxic and hopes to alleviate the need for spraying later in the season.
If you see standing water on your property, as little as a cap full can be enough for the pests to multiple, dump it. If you have standing water you can’t get rid, you too can get mosquito larvicide. It’s available at any home improvement store.
“The idea was to bring environmental groups together so we can have a strong voice.”
-Margaret Hudgings, founding member of the West Chester’s new Green Team.
The new lawn signs in town. Chemical-contamination. Climate change. Plastic waste. Energy conservation. Local environmental agencies of varying issues have banded together to advance their causes. The groups, Don’t Spray Me!, Plastic-Free Please Action Group, Chester County Citizens for Climate Protection and Ready for 100, have combined to form West Chester’s new Green Team. The team launched their new adventure last weekend at an event in Everhart park.
The library’s winning streak. A couple of weeks ago, the West Chester Library announced on Instagram they had gotten new felt for their monthly oreo poker games. Now, they have a new bench… and a spruced courtyard. It’s all coming up roses, or pansies rather. Grab a book and check out the new seat.
How can I help? If you are heading to the store this weekend, Safe Harbor is looking for help with a few items on its shopping list: High-efficiency laundry detergent, sugar, powdered lemonade and iced tea, cleaning products, paper towels, toilet paper, coffee and coffee-mate. Contact the agency if you can help out.
People who play things better than me, the Henderson edition – Musical prodigy and winner of “The World’s Best” talent competition on CBS, Lydian Nadhaswaram wowed students at Henderson High School last week. Also wowing, Henderson grad and current double-A pro baseball player, Chas McCormick with an impressive over-the-fence catch that went viral.
The warnings. Watch where you park your bike. The West Chester Police Department is seeking an individual that took off with a bike that was left outside the Salvation Army. Police don’t believe the theft was intentional and the owner only seeks to get his bike returned. If you know anything about the incident contact the West Chester Police.
The accolades. Rustin Science Olympiad is on its way to nationals. Rustin is one of only 60 schools to make it to the final event. Also, impressing us this week, WCU Baseballs’ Jared Melone was named the Division II Atlantic Region’s player of the year. This is the second year in a row the talented infielder has nabbed the honor.
The freakin’ weekend. What are you up to this weekend? We are visiting my in-laws for a milestone birthday celebration. We also have a pool party, because yes, it’s that time of year, but otherwise, I’m hoping for a quiet weekend.
If you are cooking out this weekend, some good tips from Nextdoor on where to get a bushel of crabs. Gadaleto’s seems like the area’s winner but if you’re willing to travel, Chesapeake Crab Connection in Oxford and Cap’n Catch in Wilmington also got multiple mentions.
Plus, don’t forget this beautiful collaboration starts this weekend. If anyone goes, let me know if it’s as good as it seems.
Mark your calendar:
- Happy Hour on the Terrace, West Chester Library, $10/ticket, May 31 (Local authors edition)
- Up on the Roof, Chestnut Street Garage, June 1
- Bark in the Park, Hoopes Park, June 2
- WCU Poetry Conference, The Poetry Center, June 5-8
- Swinging Summer Thursday starts June 6
Think you craft a pretty solid Haiku and are looking for a new challenge? West Chester University is getting ready to hold its annual poetry conference June 5 to June 8, an event the Philadelphia Inquirer has deemed, “the nation’s most intellectually rigorous conference for poets.”
That’s it for this week. Let summer begin. If you missed last week’s update you can find it here. Plus, some tips for safely biking through the Borough and West Chester’s hidden park. It’s so cute but best accessed by foot.
Finally, don’t forget to follow the blog. Then you’ll always know. See you next week!